The Cycling Thread

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by krhall

or I could build a ribble, if I had any idea what I was doing.

You could, but it'd probably work out more expensive. You are going to struggle to beat that Planet X for value for money IMHO.

Jabba makes a good point about the gearing though, if you live in a hilly area and are not very fit, the compact will help you get up the hills a little easier.

Just a quick "heads up" - ITV4 has the TdF live each day:
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...-tv-guide.html

Extended coverage is on Eurosport

By a happy coincidence, ITV4's coverage today starts immediately after the Germany v Argies game. C'mon Cavs, c'mon Germans

C'mon Wiggo!!!

[maviczap]

Sky+ is already set for the duration, especially as I'm working away tonight. But I caught the highlights on the news, typical that Wiggo got caught in the rain, when if he'd stayed in his original later slot, he'd have raced in the dry. Still the Schlecks are in the same time group

Good on Millar & Thomas for their rides

Got a Cavandish blue Colombia jersey from Wiggle the other day for £27, couldn't wear any of the white team jersey's and Team Sky ones are too much.

Its going to be interesting to see how Contador copes with the first few stages, which aren't his usual stomping ground.

Mind you didn't affect Big Mig in 1995 when I saw him in that years TDF. It was warm which suited him

Can anyone explain something they were talking about on eurosport for me? Why would blood transfusions be used to cheat?

For Sale:

Carrera Subway 8
Well used but in good condition.
Has mud guards on it (carbon look)
Bar end things
Cycle computer
Kevlar Lined tyres
SPD Pedals (not the ones shown in the picture, they are SL's)
Disc Brakes
8 gears
Hub geared
Suspension seat post (never knew how good this was until I got the road bike!)
Bottle carrier



Only thing I would say is that it could probably do with a service and a wash.

Only for sale as I am on a road bike now and don't have the room for this one too.

Make me an offer.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by krhall

Can anyone explain something they were talking about on eurosport for me? Why would blood transfusions be used to cheat?

Refreshers the parts that no other blood can do.

Simply. Take nice unused blood in off season, which has lots & lots of undamaged oxygen carrying red blood cells.

Take to race with you and when you've finished a day in the mountains and need to be at your peak the next day, have a transfusion of your own blood.

Hard racing damages the red blood cells which means they can't carry as much oxygen as un raced blood. So introducing fresh blood increases the riders blood to carry oxygen, which allows the muscles to function better than with knackered blood.

No drugs involved.

Used successfully by Landis, Vino, Ulrich, Basso etc.

Which is why they test the blood as well as pee these days

WOW - that is some serious ****! Taking your own blood then putting it back in when required!

[maviczap]

At least it was their own blood, early practice was to use any blood that was a match, male or female. Bit risky don't you think?

Cyclists weren't the only ones doing this, as it was alledged that many top sports stars from football & tennis were implicated in the Operation Puerto affair, which caught Ulrich, Basso etc.

Cycling banned these for 2 years, the other sports swept theirs under the carpet

Right I'm off for a quick transfusion before I have to cycle 10 miles home...

Andy Schleck might look thin and weedy but he has cajones the size of the footballs. Respect.

As for Cancellara organising that "no sprint" protest, what a Just coz his team-mate fell off. Not sure the whole peloton was in agreement. Cost him the yellow jersey, too.